Divider panel



Rv T. PROULX DIVIDER PANEL July 4, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 28, 1966 INVENTOR. ROMEO TPROULX R. T. PROULX DIVIDER PANEL -2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. e'

INVENTOR. ROMEO TPROULX i MORNEYS BY R35/ July 4, 1967 Filed Feb. 28, 1966 United States Patent O 3,329,150 DIVIDER PANEL Romeo T. Proulx, Copiague, N.Y., assignor to VISlrecord, Inc., Copiague, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 28, 1966, Ser. No. 530,452 Claims. (Cl. 129-16.7)

This application relates to filing systems having dividers and in particular to an improved tab structure for positioning and holding index cards on dividers of such systems.

Dividers in a filing system have basically a simple function-to separate materials into groups and to identify such groups by means of an index tab extension on the upper edge of each divider panel. The present invention provides a combination of improvements which is useful for most dividers, and is especially beneficial for dividers of a principal-group and sub-group type of filing system such as that described in the United States Patent No. 2,- 634,729. In the latter system, each main divider has means for holding a plurality of index cards laterally spaced along the upper edge of the divider. One or more intermediate dividers are associated With each main divider, either behind or in front of it. Each index card on the main divider tab corresponds to and identifies a specific `intermediate divider and its associated sub-group of recording material such as cards. Each intermediate divider is provided with a tab on its upper edge that is positioned directly in line with the appropriate index card on the main divider. With such a system the user selects a main group of material by its main divider and a sub-group by the laterally spaced index card thereon. The user then extends his finger directly in line with the specific index card on the main divider to the desired tab on the intermediate divider immediately in front or behind the main divider, and in one motion pulls the dividers forward leaving exposed the desired sub-group and its material.

The dividers used in filing systems of the type described above have, until now, had certain structural defects which greatly detract from the overall effectiveness of an otherwise modern and useful system. The specific aspect of known dividers that is improved by my present invention is the typical tab construction which comprises a shelf on which the index cards are positioned and a strip of transparent plastic mounted to the tab to hold, cover, and protect the cards. Often the tab is a separate part attached to the divider panel, and the plastic is U- shape in cross-section with the open part of the U facing generally upward. One leg of the U is connected to the shelf and the other leg is generally parallel to and spaced slightly from the shelf to define a slot in which the index cards may be placed. Such a slot for receiving the index cards is a trap for dust and dirt which eventually creates an unattractive appearance and impairs legibility of the cards. Also, the exposed edge of the strip is often contacted by the users nger, and, because' this edge is free and unattached, it often becomes bent away from the divider so that it may snag clothing which can injure both the clothing and the strip.

Another not entirely satisfactory aspect of previous dividers is the card mounting slot and its associated means for positioning and holding the numerous index cards. A complex ling system of the type described requires readily removable, but precisely located index cards mounted on dividers which are thin. The divider of the 3,329,150 Patented July 4, 1967 ICC present invention has a novel structure which eliminates the defects of prior similar filing equipment and is economical, convenient, slim and attractive. The tab is rugged but also flexible and resilient to accommodate rough handling by users. The dirt-accumulating tendency and exposed, sharp edges have been eliminated by an improved type of edge having recessed and rounded portions. Broadly stated, this invention is an improved, integrated, dividertab structure on which index cards are (a) precisely positioned in pockets, (b) readily insertable and removable, and (c) protected and held by a transparent strip biased against the cards. The tab comprises a channel opening upward, and a card shelf extending from and above the channel and having a relatively broad lip on its upper edge, thus forming a recess part adjacent to the lip. Attached to the channel is a shield comprising an anchor part positioned in the tab channel and a transparent viewing strip overlaying the shelf. The upper edge of thhe strip is within the recess adjacent the lip, thus providing a protected but accessible junction for insertion of index cards.

Spaced along the length of the shelf are raised parts that cooperate with the shelf and the overlaying strip to define card-positioning means or pockets for the index cards. The plane of the anchor part of the shield is at an angle to the plane of the viewing strip such that the angle is smaller than the angle between the plane of the tab channel and the plane of the card shelf. During the assembly of the shield on the tab, the shield must be sprung to conform to the larger angle between the channel and shelf of the tab; the resilience in the deflected shield produces a biasing force which presses the viewing strip against both the shelf and the cards. This force also holds the upper edge of the viewing strip in the recess under the lip on the upper edge of the tab so that the edge of the viewing strip is not exposed to accidental snags or repetitive stresses during use.

In the following specification and accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of the present invention iS shown. For the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the divider;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cut-away portion of FIG. 1 showing the divider tab and shield;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the preferred form of the tab;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional View of the shield;

FIG. 5 is a top View of the divider blank to illustrate the card pockets in an intermediate stage of formation;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the divider blank shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional View taken along 7-7 of FIG. l; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along 8-8 of FIG. l;

Referring to the drawings, FIG. l shows a divider 1 comprising a body part 2 and a tab 3 near the upper marginal portion of part 2 and inclined from the plane of the body. A plurality of index cards 4 are mounted upon the tab in precise spaced relationship. The divider body 2 is a long panel or plate having dimensions of length and height which may vary with the size of the ling tub or drawer and the material indexed therein.. A typical divider might be approximately 31" long, 9' high and have 14 equally spaced index card slots. In FIGS. 2-4 the divider structure is clearly seen as a continuous sheet metal plate, preferably of aluminum, having a series of reverse bends to form the tab. The highest point of the body part is indicated at 11, where the plate is folded rearward and downward, then folded upward to form a U-shaped slot or channel 12. The U is formed by front leg 13 and rear leg 14 which is longer and rises higher than point 11 on leg 13, resulting in a forward-opening mouth portion 16. At point 15, rear leg 14 is bent rearwardly to form the card shelf 17 of the tab. The shelf is inclined rearwardly from the plane of the divider body 2 to provide a convenient angle of viewability for the user. The shelf is bent -upward at point 18, then folded downward forming lip 19. The lip is pinched at 20 and the sheet metal continues downward forming card-plate 21, which is generally parallel to shelf 17, and terminates at edge 22 which extends past point 15 of the shelf below. In this preferred embodiment plate 21 is to be regarded as part of the card shelf. Plate 21 has a plurality of card pockets 41 spaced from each other along the tab by raised parts 35, as clearly shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6; the pinched neck 20 urges plate 21 to be at against shelf 17 while defining gap 23 shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 8, under the raised parts 35.

The shield is made of any suitable transparent synthetic resin such as Ethocel plastic and comprises an anchor portion 31, a knee 32, a viewing strip 33, and tip 34. The shield is mounted on the tab by inserting the anchor through mouth 16 and into U-slot 12. When the anchor is fully inserted, the viewing strip is positioned parallel to and against card plate 21. Tip 22 fits into the rear part of knee 32, positioning shield 30 on the tab and preventing it from moving upward or downward. Strip 33 is inclined from the plane of the anchor part 31 at an angle slightly greater than 30 which is the angle defined by the tab shelf 17 and channel or U-slot walls. Because of this angular difference the viewing strip is maintained in a deflected condition when mounted to the tab, and the resilient nature of the strip 33 keeps it biased against card-plate 21 and also in pressure contact against index cards inserted in the pockets. Opening 16 of the tab serves an additional function of providing space in which knee 32 may deflect during assembly or when the window is raised slightly for insertion of index cards.

The divider blank as it is cut from sheet metal and partially formed is shown in FIGS. 5-6. Along the top edge thereof are a plurality of depressed parts forming pockets 41 for the index cards. Each pocket has a length L which is only slightly greater than the card length so that the cards lateral position will be preciser. Moreover, in this particular embodiment, the depth D of the pocket (see FIGS. 2, 6, and 7) is predetermined so that the card having depth D' will extend out of the pocket by approximately one half of its depth or D. A card which may be used with this divider is shown in phantom lines, with part a of the card guided by the pocket walls 42. The viewing strip 33 of the shield is biased to lay tightly upon plate 21 (as explained earlier) and is in pressure contact against part b of each card. With this pocket and strip structure each card is accurately positioned, easily removable, and otherwise held tightly. The pressure contact also provides a seal against the entrance of dust and dirt behind the viewing strip.

As seen in FIG. 2, tip 34 of the strip is tapered and cooperates with the lip to form a slot into which an index card is easily inserted. Since tip 34 is disposed in the recess 20a adjacent to a higher surface of lip 19, the tip is protected from damage to itself or a users clothing that might otherwise become hooked thereon.

As mentioned earlier, the pockets 41 may be preformed on the divider blank, prior to the various bends being made in the panel to form the tab. After lip 19 is formed, by folding the plate material upward and downward, the base of the lip is pinched or crimped at 20 to insure that plate part 21 lies closely against shelf 17. Then the raised part 35 between depressed pockets 41 (see FIGS. 2 and 5) will be spaced approximately 1/32 from shelf 17.

I claim:

1. A filing system divider comprising in combination a substantially flat panel, which when oriented generally vertically has front and rear surfaces, lower and upper marginal portions, and a tab on the upper marginal portion, the tab comprising:

(a) a base defining in cross-section a U-shape, the open end of the U being the top portion of the base,

(b) a shelf on which an index card may be selectively positioned and mounted, the shelf extending upward and rearward from the top portion of the base at a predetermined angle from the plane of the panel, the shelfV having an upper marginal portion and a lip extending generally upward from the upper marginal portion of the shelf, and

(c) a shield for covering Iand protecting the card, the

shield comprising an anchor portion and a transparent viewing-strip portion, the shield being fixedly attached to the tab by insertion of the anchor portion into the U-shape of the base, the strip portion being maintained adjacent the shelf and having an upper edge adjacent and spaced from the lip, the space defining an entrance slot for insertion of the index card, the lip being at least as high above the shelf as the strip thereon, the anchor and strip portions defining in crosssection an angle less than the corresponding predetermined angle of the shelf and base, the strip being maintained in a deflected condition from the anchor, such that the respective angles tend to conform, thereby providing pressure contact of the strip against the card to restrain it in a selected position on the shelf and to establish a dust seal, the strip being further deectable to facilitate easy removal and insertion of the card thereunder, the transparency of the viewing strip providing clear viewability of the card.

2. A divider according to claim 1 wherein a portion of said shelf is depressed relative to laterally spaced adjacent portions to provide means for laterally positioning said index card.

3. A divider according to claim 1 wherein the edge of said strip adjacent said lip is tapered, forming said slot into a V-shape.

4. A divider according to claim 1 wherein said U-shape base portion of said tab has the rear leg of the U rising higher than the front leg thereby providing a wide opening in the front for insertion and removal of said anchor portion of said shield.

5. A divider according to claim 1 wherein said lip is folded over on itself in a forward bend doubling the lip thickness, then extending generally parallel to and above said shelf as a top plate and extending past the junction line of said base and said shelf as a key, said shield hav-v ing intermediate its strip part and anchor part a curved knee portion engaged by said key part as a positioning means therefor.

6. A divider according to claim 2 wherein said relatively depressed part of said shelf defines a pocket in which said card is positioned.

7. A divider according to claim 5 wherein said relatively depressed part of said shelf defines a pocket in which said card is positioned, and said pocket is formed on said top plate of said shelf.

8. A divider according to claim 1 wherein said tab is integral with said divider body, the tab being formed of continuous bends of said body.

9. A divider according to claim 1 wherein said divider is made of aluminum and the strip of Ethocel plastic.

10. A divider according to claim 5 Vwherein said panel and tab portions constitute one continuous piece of sheet metal, the top part of the panel plate being folded over, extending downward and then upward forming the U portion of said tab base, the rear leg of said U rising higher than the front leg, said rear leg then extending rearward at an angle from the plane of said panel forming 6 said shelf, then bent upward forming said lip, then folded References Cited over and downward doubling the thickness of the lip, and then bent slightly upward and extending forward lying UNITED STATES PATENTS against said shelf dening a top plate which extends for- 11285579 11/1918 Anthony e 129-16-8 X Ward slightly past the junction of said base and shelf, 5 1298,859 4/1919 Anthonysaid top plate having laterally intermittent raised and 634,729 4/1953 Weston 129-16-8 X dpresed porioiformingthpoclehts fordprecisl positioning FOREIGN PATENTS o 1n ex `car s ereon, e s rip an anc or pars o said shield, prior to attachment to said tab, defining an 231954 2/1964 Ausma' angle slightly greater than a corresponding angle of said A tab shelf and base, said strip being deflected when mounted 10 JEROME SCHNALL Prlmmy Emmmer to conform to said tab and being biased thereagainst. 

1. A FILING SYSTEM DIVIDER COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT PANEL, WHICH WHEN ORIENTED GENERALLY VERTICALLY HAS FRONT AND REAR SURFACES, LOWER AND UPPER MARGINAL PORTIONS, AND A TAB ON THE UPPER MARGINAL PORTION, THE TAB COMPRISING: (A) A BASE DEFINING IN CROSS-SECTION A U-SHAPE, THE OPEN END OF THE U BEING THE TOP PORTION OF THE BASE, (B) A SHELF ON WHICH AN INDEX CARD MAY BE SELECTIVELY POSITIONED AND MOUNTED, THE SHELF EXTENDING UPWARD AND REARWARD FROM THE TOP PORTION OF THE BASE AT A PREDETERMINED ANGLE FROM THE PLANE OF THE PANEL, THE SHELF HAVING AN UPPER MARGINAL PORTION AND A LIP EXTENDING GENERALLY UPWARD FROM THE UPPER MARGINAL PORTION OF THE SHELF, AND (C) A SHIELD FOR COVERING AND PROTECTING THE CARD, THE SHIELD COMPRISING AN ANCHOR PORTION AND A TRANSPARENT VIEWING-STRIP PORTION, THE SHIELD BEING FIXEDLY ATTACHED TO THE TAB BY INSERTION OF THE ANCHOR PORTION INTO THE U-SHAPE OF THE BASE, THE STRIP PORTION BEING MAINTAINED ADJACENT THE SHELF AND HAVING AN UPPER EDGE ADJACENT AND SPACED FROM THE LIP, THE SPACE DEFINING AN ENTRANCE SLOT FOR INSERTION OF THE INDEX CARD, THE LIP BEING AT LEAST AS HIGH ABOVE THE SHELF AS THE STRIP THEREON, THE ANCHOR AND STRIP PORTIONS DEFINING IN CROSS-SECTION AN ANGLE LESS THAN THE CORRESPONDING PREDETERMINED ANGLE OF THE SHELF AND BASE, THE STRIP BEING MAINTAINED IN A DEFLECTED CONDITION FROM THE ANCHOR, SUCH THAT THE RESPECTIVE ANGLES TEND TO CONFORM, THEREBY PROVIDING PRESSURE CONTACT OF THE STRIP AGAINST THE CARD TO RESTRAIN IT IN A SELECTED POSITION ON THE SHELF AND TO ESTABLISH A DUST SEAL, THE STRIP BEING FURTHER DEFLECTABLE TO FACILITATE EASY REMOVAL AND INSERTION OF THE CARD THEREUNDER, THE TRANSPARENCY OF THE VIEWING STRIP PROVIDING CLEAR VIEWABILITY OF THE CARD. 